Snezana Bjelogrlic (Foto: Beta/Milan Obradovic)
Judges' Association of Serbia head Snezana Bjelogrlic has said that strengthening judiciary independence "doesn't mean distancing the judiciary from the people," but rather "distancing the judiciary from political and any other inappropriate influence."
The Jan. 8 issue of the Politika daily printed a comment by Bjelogrlic on a statement by Serbian Progressive Party official Vladimir Djukanovic, a member of the High Judicial Council, that "the judiciary cannot be independent of the people, and the connection with the people is through the National Assembly."
Bjelogrlic said it was exactly bolstering judiciary independence that would allow anyone to seek and find justice, regardless of background, social standing or economic power.
"An independent judge is the guarantee that the law will be applied equally and impartially for all, even the legislator, and that no-one is privileged in the proceedings," Bjelogrlic said.
Asked about the biggest problems in the Serbian justice system and the priorities for what should be fixed, Bjelogrlic replied that they were lack of independence, laws that were inadequate and out of alignment, an uneven burden on the judiciary and judges, and a lack of the right ongoing professional training.
According to her, this results in inefficiency and uneven application of the law.
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